Indicator system



Dec. 10, 1929. M. P. M CARTY INDICATOR SYSTEM Filed Feb. 15, 1926 veal generally,

ll atented Dec. 10, 1929 UNITED STATES ll,739,0l0

PATENT OFFICE MADISON I. MOCARTY, 01 DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-'HALF TO STANLEY R. LEESON, OF DALLAS, TEXAS INDICATOR SYSTEM Application filed February '15, 1926. Serial No. 88,300.

This invention relates to motor vehicle accessories and more particularly to a device arranged to be visibly situated at aconvenient point on the vehicle and adapted to recertain inaccuracies in the performance of the motor, the primary object being to produce a device of the character designated which serves not only as a device of utility but likewise in the capacity of a m radiator ornament of pleasing appearance.

The invention furthercomprehends a temperature indicator for motors, and in such capacity, affords an illuminated warning signal applicable both to day and especially is night driving.

Less broadly stated, the invention, when properly connected with the motor ignition, serves to disclose any irregularities in the function thereof, likewise disclosing irregular firing of the spark plugs, and when applied as a radiator ornament, functions as a temperature indicator.

Having described the fundamental objects, the invention further resides in the salient 2 features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter referred to, and by which the said objects are attained, reference being being made from time to time to the annexed drawings forming part hereof and in which: to Figure 1 represents an elevatlonal V ew 1n vertical cross-section of a combined temperature indicator and trouble detector, constructed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof. Figure 3 is a view in lateral cross-section on lines 3-3 of Figure 1, and

' Figure 4 represents a view on lines 4-4 of Figure 1. i

Now, in proceeding in accordance with the foregoing, the invention consists primarily of a housing 1, preferably circular in form, and provided with a suitable base or pedestal 2 which may be cast integral with the housing 1. As a protection against the entrance of moisture and to afford visibility,

either face of the housing is provided with a glass cover 3, and retained thereon by bezels 4, or other securing means, the former being substantially secured in place by suitable screws 5, apertures 6 being made in the housing 1 for the reception thereof. An annular resilient washer 7 reposes intermediate the glass cover 3 and the housing. An example of this structure is readily apparent in Figures 2 and 3.

Centrally situated in the housing 1, is a convoluted tube of glass 8, of material applicable to the occasion, preferably to contain various sulphides of the alkaline earths to attain proper color production, and which will enable it to withstand considerable mechanical vibration. It is further preferred that the glass contain in addition, such chemicals as calcium chloride or its equivalent, to absorb the ultra violet rays if necessary, to prevent the possible antagonistic physiological effects on the eye.

Reference to Figure 1 will disclose that the tube 8 is fused together adjacent to the lower part of the housing 1 at a thereby providing a separate and distinct outer tube, which will hereinafter be referred to by the character 9. The tubes employed are known as Geissler or neon tubes, which are charged with a gas, of such character as to emit an individual color, when excited by the application of proper electrical current. In the present case, the desirable colors are green for the central tube --8, while red is produced in the circumferential tube 9. These tubes, as apparent in Figure 1, are sustained in the housing 1, by two or more protuberances 10 formed thereon, which extend into recesses 11 in the secondary wall of the housing, and suitabl protected by a felt pad equiva ent to alleviate the effects of vibration.

The frame in which the radial hollow projections or recessed parts 11 are formed to receive the protuberances on the tube is made an integral part of the housing as apparent in Fig. 3. The parts 11 are left open on one side in order that the protuberances 10 may be received therein by simply placing the various parts in the position shown from one side of the frame. The bezel 4 is then secured in place to hold the tubes positively secure. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that a portion of the outer convolute 9 of the tube rests upon the lower portion of the frame, but the effects of cate an overheated, motor.

vibration are alleviated by reason of the cushion afi'orded by the felt pads 12 in the recesses 11. It is of course obvious that no lateral displacement of the tube combination is possible, and while it has been mentioned that the tubes are supported at the lower portion of the frame, the position of the protuberances and the recesses is such that no other securing means is necessary When the ignition is operating properly the result is a glow of regular intermittenoy, the frequency of the intermittance depending on the R. P. M. of the motor.-

If no irregular intermittency appears to break the steady intermittent glow of the light, the indication is that the lgnition system is performing properly.

In order to serve in the capacity of a temperature indicator a thermostatically controlled switch is located at a point in the motor cooling system, so as to be actuated at any .time, if for any reason, the temperature of said cooling system or motor goes beyond a predetermined. high pdintf' The thermostat used is one of theseveral generally accepted types. For purpose of proper explanation the thermostat is shown in the 'baseof the housing, and the volatile liquid type of thermostat is used. It is intended and claimed however, that other types of thermostats'may be used located at any point that will permit them to be actuated by the temperature of the cooling system or of the motor. I e

To further describe the example shown in the drawing, the thermostat pictured consists of a depending tube 13 in which is contained a volatile liquid, as aforesaid. Pressure created by the heated volatile liquid expands the upper portion 14, which is constructed yieldable, and this action imparts upward movement, to the insulated post 15 situated in the center of the plate 14 moving the yieldable contact 16, creating a circuit through the contact 17, resulting in a circuit through the tube 9, by wire 17, to obtain "a red color to indi- This tube is grounded at 17 in the wall of the housing as shown.

Now, in describing the source of excitation of the gas within the tubes, a small high voltage static condenser 23 is preferably employed, although equally eflicient results maybe attained by the use of Oudin or Tesla coils. No dan er is evidenced in grounding ignition due to t e condenser or coils, the current consumed is negligible for the operation of the device. The character 24 designates the usual ignition'coil to render more comprehensive the manner of wiring. The lead wire 25 is connected tothe secondary 25 of the said ignition coil, 24. Therefore, the current consumed by the invention is carried through wire 25, condenser 23, wire 19, special socket 19, to be alternately directed, through either the contact 17 or 20, depending upon the action of the thermostatic switch by the heated condition of the motor.

In foregoing paragraphs, it has been made clear that a constant regular intermittency is visible in the glow emitted by the tubes, and under normal operating conditions this effect is in evidence by reason of the direct wiring arrangement with the motor. Such a condition is "illustrated in the diagrammatic view shown in Figure 1, the contact 16 being in engagement with the contact 20 of the inner tube 8, to obtain a green fluorescence. This tube is grounded at 22.

It is further pointed out in the foregoing for the sake of symmetry, that a convoluted tube or tubes are employed to obtain the proper. illumination. These tubes of course may be formed to describe any particular design, initial or the like and wired in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art and used inconnection with any suitable coil, to be operated either manually or automatically when excited by a high frequency current.

With the foregoing in view, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an indicator of the type set forth, a base, a substantially disk-like hollow housing on the base having a transparent side face, a substantially circular wall in the housing spaced from the circumferential wall thereof and having end portions connected to the circumferential wall of the housing, said wall within the housing having radial hollow projections, a convolute lass tube in the housing having radial protu erances extending into said hollow projections, the outer convolution of the tube having a fused portion so as to separate same from the remainder of the tube, said tube having its said outer convolution and its inner convolutions filled with gases capable of emitting difierent colors, and means to cause separate excitation of the gases.

2. In an indicator system for motor driven vehicles, the combination of a temperature and firing indicator comprising gas filled tubes, a housing in which said gas filled tubes are located, a thermostatic switch controllin the alternate energization of said gas filled tubes and means connecting said switch to the ignition system of the motor vehicle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MADISON P. MGCARTY. 

